Bird defends his want to return to the Yankees this season

Jul 7, 2017 | 1:55PM

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(Kim Klement)

Yankees 1B Greg Bird defended his desire to return to the team this year after a Yankees insider questioned it, per ESPN's Andrew Marchand.

According to Bill Madden of NY Daily News, the unnamed insider said, "You really have to wonder what's with this guy. You'd think with Judge and Sanchez, the guys he came up through the system with, doing so well up here he'd want to be a part of this. Apparently not."

The quote seems to indicate the insider is suggesting Bird's ankle injury isn't as serious as he has claimed.

However, Bird shot down these claims and said he is doing everything in his power to get back in pinstripes this season.

"I want to play," he said. "I've always wanted to play since I can remember. I love baseball. For me, I'm doing everything I can to come back. I love it and I want to be playing with these guys. I would hope people see it."

Bird may undergo exploratory surgery to determine why he is still feeling pain from an ankle injury that has kept him out since May 1, GM Brian Cashman told reporters on Monday.

The 24-year-old Bird has missed the majority of the season due to the injury, which he suffered when he fouled a ball off his ankle.

"All the diagnostic tests show the bone bruise has healed and he still has pain," Cashman said.

"The complaints are real," Cashman added, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. "He can't play, he wants to play and we haven't been able to get him back."

"I don't doubt what I can do," Bird said, according to Hoch. "I'm going to play a long time, so for me, this is just a little bump in a long road."

Manager Joe Girardi said on June 21 he was unsure if Bird would return this season. Bird told reporters he thought he was "very close" to returning at the beginning of June, but still complained of soreness as recently as two weeks ago.

Bird has crushed minor league pitching throughout his career, had a very good call-up in 2015, produced one of the best spring trainings this season that anyone can remember and is named the Yankees starting first baseman. Unfortunately, he gets hurt just before the season begins and at that point he decides he doesn't want to play anymore? Got it. That is brilliant commentary.

Whoever this insider is, he/she should have his/her head examined. The frustration is understandable, but what good does it do to run a player's name through the mud due to frustration? As a motivator? That's simply an insane way to go about it. Further, if the Yankees have decided to move on from Bird, is this how you want to let the rest of the league know how you feel about him?

What's most interesting about this person's stance is that the Yankees have been through this before and not long ago, when Mark Teixeira suffered an ankle injury and it took forever before a fracture was discovered. While this might not end up being the case with Bird, there is a chance that's exactly how it falls out.

Bird's injury has certainly caused problems with the Yankees' lineup and in the field, but to take that to a level that suggests he's sitting back collecting a check for nothing is irresponsible and has the potential to deteriorate the relationship if it hasn't already.

If there was any question as to the seriousness of the Yankees' prioritization for starting pitching, it has quelled with the acquisition of James Paxton well before the Winter Meetings.

Paxton markedly upgrades the Yankees rotation, and with an estimated $9 million salary for the 2019 season, there is plenty of payroll room for another addition to the starting rotation via free agency (think Patrick Corbin). Despite working in his age-30 season next year, Paxton has significant upside after setting several career-best marks in 2018.

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter | As the Mets continue to discuss trading Noah Syndergaard, the team is also exploring potential free agent starting pitchers to replace him, according to major league sources. And that could have an impact on the Yankees.

Trading Syndergaard -- which is no sure thing to happen, even though the Mets are exploring it -- would only be one piece in a larger strategy. The Mets could obtain a package of prospects and major leaguers for Syndergaard, then replace him with a free agent such as Patrick Corbin, J.A. Happ, Dallas Keuchel, or Nathan Eovaldi.

Those pitchers are all in the mix for the Yankees, too; Happ and Corbin are particular targets in the Bronx. The Yankees, by the way, do not expect to pursue Syndergaard, per sources.

Pros and Cons: Should the Yankees sign free agent Dallas Keuchel?

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Oct 16, 2018; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) walks off the mound after the third out in the first inning of game three of the 2018 ALCS playoff baseball series against the Boston Red Sox at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports (Troy Taormina)

The Yankees have multiple offers on the table for RHP Sonny Gray and are in the process of weighing them, according to major league sources.

GM Brian Cashman has been open about Gray's need for a change of scenery, after the righty struggled in the Bronx. Despite selling low, the Yankees should bring back some legitimate talent in the trade, because of his upside, and the ever-present need for pitching.

When it comes down to where Bryce Harper will sign for the 2019 season, everything from his new teammates to the fanbase to comfortability will be considered.

And, of course, the food options.

Flying into LAX on Thursday night, Harper -- as expected -- brushed off the question of where he would sign next year when asked by TMZ Sports. However, he did mention a couple cities whose food he likes.

As the Yankees embark on what is expected to be a very busy offseason in 2019, the intrigue of signing 26-year-old All-Star Manny Machado has always been on the table.

But the prospect of playing in the Big Apple comes with loads of responsibility. If the Yankees' championship-or-bust mentality wasn't enough, the rabid fanbase and media that surrounds a New York athlete is sometimes too much to deal with.

No one knows this better than former Yankees manager and Mets player Joe Torre. The two-time Manager of the Year recipient knows what it takes to win in New York, and during that span, has seen certain players thrive or falling off the deep end during their time here.

By Anthony McCarron | Nov 15 | 11:43PM

No player has ever been named on every single ballot in voting for the Baseball Hall of Fame. But Joe Torre says that might change as soon as the Class of 2019 when Mariano Rivera shows up on the ballot for the first time.

If not then, perhaps the following year when Derek Jeter debuts.

"I'm a little biased," Torre said. "But I don't mind that."

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WATCH: Brian Cashman elaborates on Yankees' offseason priorities

The GM also talked Manny Machado

Nov 16 | 12:01AM

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Cashman's offseason priorities00:03:02

Yankees GM Brian Cashman gives an update on the team's offseason priorities and if they're concerned with Manny Machado's comments.

What makes Paxton a better fit than others?

Robertson's return to Yankees could be negatively impacted by playoff shares vote: report

Nov 15 | 10:58AM

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New York Yankees relief pitcher David Robertson pitches during the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game 4 of the 2018 ALDS at Yankee Stadium. (Wendell Cruz/USA TODAY Sports)

Reliever David Robertson said he has a "good relationship" with Yankees GM Brian Cashman and the front office, and Cashman reiterated the same to the New York Post's George A. King III.

But Robertson's role in determining the Yankees' postseason shares for coaches and trainers, according to King, could impact whether Robertson returns to New York again as he enters free agency.

Robertson, according to King, led a players-only meeting that determined assistant hitting coach P.J. Pilittere would receive half a postseason share, coaching analyst Zac Fieroh would not receive a postseason share and several other support staffers would not receive any shares.

The Yankees plan to add two starting pitchers and multiple bullpen pieces this offseason, and we could see action sooner than later.

Several agents and executives have privately expressed a belief that the free agent pitching market will move much faster than it did last season.

Mutual interest remains between the Yankees and Patrick Corbin. Keep your eye on that one, though both sides have other options. Our impression is that Corbin could sign somewhere before long. The Yanks and J.A. Happare also still interested in a reunion...

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Yankees' Hal Steinbrenner: It would be 'essential' for Manny Machado to explain lack of hustle if team pursued him

Machado's 'Johnny Hustle' comment isn't winning him much favor in the Bronx

Manny Machado has some explaining to do if he ever wants to end up in a Yankee uniform.

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner made it clear Wednesday that the star free agent would absolutely need to address his anti-"Johnny Hustle" comment before the team would ever consider signing him to a megadeal.

Asked by Newsday's David Lennon if that would be important, Steinbrenner responded: "Not important -- essential."

To the astonishment of just about everybody in Major League Baseball, Shohei Ohtani proved he was worthy of all the "Japanese Babe Ruth" hype, so it's hard to argue that he is not a deserving winner of the American League Rookie of the Year Award, as announced on Monday night.

But that shouldn't diminish Miguel Andujar's accomplishments in 2018. If anything, the historic nature of Ohtani's hitter/pitcher feats should only enhance appreciation for Andujar's rookie season.

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter | Industry sources say that the Seattle Mariners are "highly motivated" to trade ace James Paxton. The Yankees are among the teams interested in the lefty.

Despite Seattle's apparent intention to move Paxton, the asking price is expected to be relatively high, if not astronomical -- comparable to what Houston received last winter for Gerrit Cole: pitchers Joe Musgrove and Michael Feliz, top ten prospect Colin Moran and Top 20 prospect Jason Martin.

Roughly translated to the Yankees, that could mean retaining top young players like Miguel Andujar but having to further reduce high-end organizational depth. A free agent like Patrick Corbinor J.A. Happ, of course, will only cost money.

Yankees to buy back YES Network from Fox, Disney: Report

21st Century Fox bought majority of network four years ago

Nov 12 | 1:55PM

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Sep 11, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; A general view during the national anthem prior to the game between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports (Andy Marlin)

The Yankees are buying back the YES Network.

According to Bloomberg, the Yankees intend to move forward with plans to buy back YES after it was sold to 21st Century Fox four years ago while the Yankees retained 20 percent of the network.

The 30-year-old Paxton, who made $4.9 million in 2018 and is arbitration-eligible in 2019 (when he is projected to earn $9 million) and 2020, had a 3.76 ERA (3.24 FIP) and 1.09 WHIP with 208 strikeouts in a career-high 160.1 innings this past season.

So what are the chances the Yankees could interest the Dodgers in trading for Giancarlo Stanton as a way of clearing a path to sign either Bryce Harper or Manny Machado?

Put it this way: they probably have a better shot of convincing Brodie Van Wagenen to send Jacob deGrom their way for some minor-league prospects.

That may have been the case under any circumstances, but especially so after the Los Angeles Times on Thursday reported the Dodgers have sent documents to investors pledging to stay under Major League Baseball's luxury-tax threshold for the next four years.

Yankees' Gary Sanchez underwent successful shoulder surgery Thursday

The recovery time is expected to be three months

Nov 8 | 4:30PM

Yankees GM Brian Cashman reveals the news that catcher Gary Sanchez will require shoulder surgery that could sideline him until opening day.

Yankees C Gary Sanchez underwent successful shoulder surgery on Thursday at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. The surgery was performed by Yankees Head team Physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad.

Yankees GM Brian Cashman told reporters on Wednesday that Sanchez has been trouble with his shoulder since 2017. He would receive cortisone shots to play through the injury, but he aggravated it more during training in Tampa this past week.

"We could've continued with the conservative treatment but we're going to go the other route and just stay ahead of it," Cashman said. "Down time is three month -- he'll be ready to go by Opening Day at the latest."

CARLSBAD, Calif. - Spend any time this week around Brian Cashman or the Yankee contingent at the GM meetings, which includes his front office advisors Jean Afterman, Tim Naehring, Jim Hendry and Reggie Jackson, and it's clear that their minds are far from the Bryce Harper or Manny Machado sweepstakes.

Sure, they're monitoring the rumors like everyone else, but they haven't mounted a pursuit of either player. The Yanks are very clearly focused on improving their pitching staff, from signing CC Sabathia to pursuing J.A. Happ, Patrick Corbin, Andrew Miller, Corey Kluber and many others.

But there is one clear pathway to Machado ultimately becoming a Yankee, and it flows through Philadelphia...

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Yankees, Mets have requested medicals of free agent Andrew Miller

Miller had a down year in 2018 while dealing with knee, hamstring, and shoulder issues

Cashman: Voit the current Yankees starting first baseman

Nov 8 | 9:42AM

Amid the rumors that the Diamondbacks could deal first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, the Yankees are reportedly not showing significant interest in the six-time All-Star, according to Fancred Sports' Jon Heyman.

Arizona, Heyman reported on Tuesday, has been willing to listen to offers for players like Goldschmidt and pitcher Zack Greinke, however a rival executive told Heyman he believed a trade of Goldschmidt was "remote."

The 31-year-old Goldschmidt hit .290 with 33 home runs and 83 RBIs for the Diamondbacks last season. He has hit at least .290 with an OPS of at least .899 in each of the past six seasons with three top-three MVP finishes.

SNY's Andy Martino doesn't feel vibe that Yankees are interested

Bryce Harper's agent Scott Boras believes that whichever franchise inks the prized free agent will see a major boost in revenue and success.

Scott Boras sure knows how to sell his top free agent in OF Bryce Harper.

Boras, MLB's top agent, took some time at the GM Meetings in Carlsbad, CA to speak to reporters about a variety of subjects from the state of the MLB to his very intriguing 25-year-old All-Star.

Harper is in the prime of his career, and is expected to see a megadeal with a new team before the season begins. Boras explained why Harper's situation is so rare due to his status as a "generational player."

CC Sabathia is back, but the Yankees need serious rotation help

The Yankees might have re-signed CC Sabathia to hold down the back-end of their rotation, but the club has very clearly indicated they will vastly improve the starting rotation. Let's rank, in reverse order, the top six pitchers said to be on the Yankees' radar on the free agent and trade markets...

No. 6 - Nathan Eovaldi

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Both Yankees and Mets have expressed preliminary interest in free agent Andrew Miller

Miller would be a fit for both teams

Oct 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Andrew Miller reacts after striking out Chicago Cubs catcher David Ross (not pictured) to end the top of the 7th inning in game one of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter | Both the Yankees and Mets have expressed interest in free agent reliever Andrew Miller, but he is not close to a deal with either team.

Coming off a down year caused by patellar tendinitis in his left knee, Miller is seeking a multi-year deal, according to major league sources. Interested teams are waiting to see if the medicals give them pause, and hope that an offseason of rest will restore Miller's health.

The Yankees like Miller because they know him, and considered him an especially good clubhouse presence during his first go-around with the team. They are also looking to maintain a dominant pen despite the potential departures of Zach Britton and David Robertson...

Brian Cashman refused to trade these Yankees for Chris Sale in 2016

The GM said the White Sox were asking for too much

Nov 7 | 12:20PM

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman talks with media during practice at George M. Steinbrenner Field. (Butch Dill/USA TODAY Sports)

There's not a person in Boston who laments the Red Sox acquisition of Chris Sale from the White Sox in 2016.

But if you ask Brian Cashman, the general manager of a Yankees team that could've used Sale in the last two postseasons, he'll tell you he also has no regrets about passing on a trade for the lefty ace.

"Thank God I didn't do that, actually," Cashman said Tuesday at the GM meetings in California, per the New York Post. "You'd be missing some serious components of our major league club right now that are under control. We wouldn't have gotten anywhere if I did anything like that with the White Sox back then."

Yankees have had preliminary talks with free agent J.A. Happ, but options abound for both

The Yankees' focus is on pitching -- not Bryce Harper or Manny Machado

New York Yankees' J.A. Happ delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (Frank Franklin II/AP)

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter | CARLSBAD, Calif. -- The Yankees have already engaged in preliminary talks with free agent J.A. Happ's agent about a return, per major league sources, and there is definite mutual interest in a reunion. But it's early enough in the offseason that the sides are both weighing other options, too.

That is in keeping with the Yanks' primary goals this winter, which are to improve the starting rotation and make sure the bullpen remains strong. As SNY first reported, the team is not interested in Bryce Harper, and is lukewarm on Manny Machado. The latter is more likely to become a Yankee than the former, but both are less important to Brian Cashman than pitching.

In addition to Happ, who is 36 but in excellent shape and expecting to pitch for many more years, the Yankees are in the early stages of weighing several intriguing trade options. Both Cleveland and Seattle are prepared to deal high end pitchers like Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and James Paxton, and the Yankees are interested in all of them -- though the free agent market is a bit more appealing to them than a trade, because they have already traded away several top prospects...

"I'm interested in adding more than one pitcher," GM Brian Cashman said Monday. "I think I need to add multiples. If I can do so, we'll see. ... I'm not going to say who and when but we will make sure we check every box in terms of what's available and the cost associated with what's available in both marketplaces, free agency and trades," Cashman said.

Aside from Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka, the Yankees don't have any certainties in the rotation for 2019 and beyond...

What you need to know about Japanese free agent LHP Yusei Kikuchi, who Yankees have scouted

One of the best pitchers in Japan, Kikuchi has been posted by the Seibu Lions

Japanese LHP Yusei Kikuchi, who the Yankees scouted in late-September, has been posted by the Seibu Lions. And he's now repped by super-agent Scott Boras.

In addition to the Yankees, the Giants, Red Sox, Dodgers, Phillies, Brewers, and Rangers were among the teams on hand to watch Kikuchi on Sept. 28, and he will soon be available to the highest bidder.

Under the new posting rules that went into effect last offseason, Kikuchi will have 30 days to negotiate with all teams. If he agrees to a contract, a portion of it will go to his old Japanese team as their release fee.